Funding
The latest funding rounds, venture capital news, and investment trends in the startup ecosystem.
Odyssey secures $310M to fuel growth in AI development
Odyssey, an AI startup, just secured $310 million in a Series B round, pushing its valuation to $1.
EU Innovation Council Expands to Include Defence Tech Startups
Effective June 17, 2026, the European Innovation Council (EIC), traditionally a civilian innovation powerhouse, will officially expand its mandate to include defense technologies.
Vivici secures €12.5 million to accelerate protein commercialization
Precision fermentation startup Vivici, which secured €32.5 million in Series A funding, has now secured an additional €12.5 million from the European Innovation Council's 2026 accelerator program.
Orbio lands $21M Series A to automate frontline hiring and onboarding
At The Stepping Stones Group, Orbio's AI agents now manage the company's entire U.
Cestari kitchen brand grows sales without venture capital funding
Cestari is expanding its flagship Ultimate Pasta Machine into major retailers like Walmart, all while operating entirely bootstrapped in 2026.
Allen Control Systems raises $200M amid defense tech funding surge
Anduril, a defense tech startup, recently secured a $20 billion Army counter-drone contract and is projected to hit over $2 billion in revenue by 2025, signaling a rapid shift in military procurement
Creator Fund Closes $56 Million Fund for European PhD Founders
In a surprising turn, Creator Fund has closed a $56 million fund for European PhD founders, a substantial increase from earlier reports of a $41 million first close, signaling rapid investor confidenc
FirstClub Doubles Valuation to $255 Million
In just nine months, FirstClub's valuation rocketed from $120 million to $255 million, defying a more cautious overall funding climate for Indian startups.
StrictlyVC Los Angeles Event to Boost Defense Tech AI Fundraising
On June 18, venture capitalists will converge at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo, a key hub for national security innovation, to fund the next generation of defense AI.
Benchmark raises $2 billion across two new funds
Benchmark, a firm long associated with early-stage venture capital, has launched its first-ever dedicated growth fund, committing $1.
Africa Finance Corporation commits $100M to boost African tech startups
Africa Finance Corporation has committed $100 million to tech fund managers, targeting significant capital for African startups.
New Fund Targets Women Founders Amidst Funding Plateau
In 2024, female-only founding teams secured just 2.
Kalshi raises $1B in Series F funding led by Coatue
In just six months, Kalshi's valuation doubled to $22 billion, fueled by a $1 billion Series F round and an 800% surge in institutional trading volume, according to Bloomberg .
Beltone VC Citadel Fund exits Bosta with 75% IRR
Beltone Venture Capital and UAE-based Citadel International Holdings' joint fund recently completed its exit from Egyptian logistics player Bosta, securing a 75% internal rate of return (IRR).
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 gets Rs 10,000 crore approval
India's government has approved a new Rs.
Chiratae Ventures commits up to $10M for deep tech via Sonic program
A deep tech startup could secure up to $2 million in seed funding from Chiratae Ventures in as little as 48 hours.
Moment Energy Secures $40 Million Series B to Scale Sustainable Energy Solutions
Moment Energy, a company giving used electric vehicle batteries a second life, just secured $40 million in Series B funding.
Venture capital funding challenges non-AI startups
By Q3 2025, over 70% of all seed-stage venture capital in Silicon Valley is projected to flow into AI-centric companies.
Clarasight closes $11.5 million Series A funding round
Enterprise customers using Clarasight have reduced reporting and insight delivery time by an astonishing 99%, drastically improving operational speed.
Snabbit secures new funding to expand instant house-help in India
In March, Indian instant house-help platform Snabbit completed over one million jobs, demonstrating significant demand for organized domestic services across India.
DPIIT Issues Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 Guidelines
New operational guidelines confirm a ₹10,000 crore corpus for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.
Lockheed Martin Ventures boosts fund to $1 billion for defense tech
Lockheed Martin, a titan of traditional defense manufacturing, has quietly boosted its venture capital fund by 250% to an unprecedented $1 billion.
Houston Venture Capital Funding Surges in Q1 2026
For the first time, Texas startups collectively raised more venture capital than Massachusetts in Q1 2026.
India's Startup India Initiative Records 55,200 New Ventures in FY26
In the fiscal year 2025-26, India recognized 55,200 new startups, marking the highest annual addition since the Startup India initiative began.
India Startup India Initiative Records 55,200 New Startups in FY26
In fiscal year 2025-26, India officially recognized over 55,200 new startups.
Lockheed Martin Ventures Expands Fund to $1 Billion for AI, Quantum Tech
Over 60 startups funded by Lockheed Martin Ventures have already transitioned into direct suppliers, securing more than $750 million in contracts from the defense giant.
India launches \u20b9100 billion fund for high-impact sectors
India's startup scene is set for a significant capital boost: a government-launched \u20b9100 billion fund for deep tech, alongside a private \u20b9100 crore initiative specifically for entrepreneurs under 25.
European Venture Capital Surges With Double-Digit Growth in 2024
In 2024, European venture capital fundraising surged by 43%.
Pipe raises $16M equity; debt fuels financing growth
Pipe, a revenue-based financing platform, has quietly secured $16 million in a new funding round.
Gulf Funds Reportedly Near Deal to Back Paramount's Warner Bros Takeover
Paramount Skydance is reportedly lining up nearly $24 billion from Gulf sovereign funds to help finance its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund expected to contribute roughly $10 billion.